jean_taeza

<p>Thank you all for the thorough and informative responses; I appreciate it. I've looked at the Bessa R's and Contax systems prior to posting this and was on track to purchasing one of them, but with all the new insight I'm getting I'll definitely look into all of your suggestions. I forget to mention that I own an Olympus XA and have shot with it for quite a while now, so I'm looking to move onto "bigger" fish so to speak (I guess bigger would mean not a fixed lens). In response to budget I would say I would want to spend under $1200 total body + lens; I'd rather shoot with something for a while before moving onto a bigger and "better" body/lens.</p>

<p>I've been wanting to move into the rangefinder game; I've been shooting with SLRs + point and shoots and would love to experience shooting with a rangefinder. I've done some research and there are a lot of opinions and I would like some solid facts on finding a great, functional (and budget) rangefinder. I'm fine with 3rd body lenses and bodies, as I've seen that Leica can get very expensive.</p> <p>Thanks!</p>